Senate probes sharp practices in MDAs

The Senate yesterday mandated its committees on Federal Character, Employment, Labour and Productivity to investigate alleged irregularities in employment in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the last two years.

This followed a motion, entitled: “Employment irregularities in the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Nigeria”, sponsored by Senator Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi Central).

Bagudu directed the Senate to note the media reports on irregularities in employment at the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other ministries, departments and agencies.

The lawmaker argued that the statements credited to the Comptroller-General of the NIS suggest that over 4,000 employment slots were approved for the agency by the Federal Government.

However, he insisted that the slots were allegedly being sold to applicants.

He said the jobs were not advertised.

Bagudu alleged that employment letters were sold for N400, 000 and N500, 000 “by a syndicate based in Gwagwalada, Karu and other places.”

He said the recruitment exercises favour some states, which amounts to a “total negation of the Federal Character principle.”

He told the Senate that the recruitment exercise by the Nigerian Immigration Service and others have been criticised by the public.

Senate President David Mark said the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) was guilty of lopsided action in employment in the MDAs.

He urged senators to testify before the committees.

Said he: “I recommend that those people with experiences or stories to tell should meet the relevant committees and perhaps, expose those that demanded money for employment.

“I have never given a letter of recommendation to anybody seeking employment because the implication is blackmail against the Senate.

“I believe the Civil Service Commission, an agency charged with recruitment, is the most guilty because it has to look at the Federal Character, know the vacancies available and recruit accordingly.

“But there is desperation everywhere and this is a serious thing in the land. If we can do anything to maximise the ability of the government and private organisations to create employment, we have to do it. If employment is limited, there will be desperation.

“The motion is a welcome development. I urge that the committee do a thorough job so that we can minimise, if not eliminate injustice in the country.”

Many senators decried the menace and called for urgent measures to curb it.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character, Senator Awaisu Kuta, noted that the committee is inundated with complaints from applicants that jobs are for the highest bidders.

He said: “We have tried to curb this menace. Almost everybody is guilty of this problem.

“Parents are desperate to see that their children are employed, but it is unfortunate that somebody who is qualified may not get employment unless he knows someone.

“The indiscriminate issuance of certificate of compliance to MDAs by the Federal Character Commission (FCC) is a major contributor to the problem.

“Even ministers are guilty. Anybody able to buy his way through to get employment as a future leader is dangerous to the system.”

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu blamed the ugly development on growing unemployment.

Said he: “Our children are the victims of unemployment. A situation where many of our youths are unemployed will give room for manipulation.

“The process begins from a job seeker asking you to write a letter of recommendation, and asking you to call the head of the agency in question and thereafter asking you to go and see the head of the agency on his behalf.”

I agreed with the views of the Distinguished Senate president and his Deputy. But the problem is that after Graduating from the University for 5-6yrs without job,Desperation comes in to play. Like in my own case i finished school since 2003 and up till now i have no job, if not that i learn a Trade that is helping me to forge ahead. so in this situation if i do not know any senator,Rep. member,Presidency,Aso Rock or even a Minister and i have my way to pay to get a job i will not hesitate to pay. But we all know that it is not the right thing,but what can we do. so the FG has a lot to do in addressing this issue. Let them at least reduce the rate to a minimal level.

nwamazi

EVERYBODY is guilty.From the presidency to Ministers to National Assembly members

pelummy777

It is a pity that people who are in place of Authority in this country don’t have the fear of God at heart. Selling employment letter it is babaric and satanic. Where do they want the poor applicant to get this money? God safe Nigeria!

Dili

What have they done with the earlier probes ?

tybone

All this senate committee probe is a way to enrich their pockets what are the results of previous probes and sittings,oversights? ….they are all thieves

imobabe

There is no civil service in Nigeria. What there is is civil riot. I remember I was a candidate for the civil service in 1989, and was interviewed in Benin. The interviewers either told you you were over qualified or that you have to go and teach with your qualification from abroad. The civil servants do not even put up to 5 hours on any given day because they are busy running around looking for contracts or engaging in business. That is the Nigerian civil service for you. Go to the LGA’s around 11 a.m and you will not see any clerk on duty. The offices are locked until the next day or two, in some cases. When you are lucky to see any open office, a N500 fee escalates to N10,000 or you are shut out upon refusal to pay. The chairmen of these LGA’s are busy running around looking for hotel contracts and that is why the Governors do not want to loose control of that organ of the government because they all benefit. Itis a source of control for the governors even up to the so-called traditional chiefs. Every system is rotten and rotten to the core. Simple.